With COP30 drawing to a close, a number of global non-profits have criticised the latest draft resolution put forward by the COP30 Presidency, with Stephen Cornelius, WWF global deputy climate and energy lead, describing it as “extremely disappointing”.
Citing the draft text’s failure to include roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels, Cornelius said, “Vested fossil fuel interests and big agriculture must be celebrating the lack of any roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels and to stop deforestation. The strong steer from President Lula has been ignored.
“Today is the last day of the negotiations, and we need substantial improvements to stay on a pathway to a 1.5°C world and avert worsening planetary crisis. We call on countries to include roadmaps on fossil fuels and deforestation with concrete milestones in the final text.”
‘Falls far short’
Elsewhere, Andreas Sieber, associate director of policy and campaigns, 350.org, said that the draft text falls “far short of the giant leap needed to close the climate ambition gap. Crucially, they don’t offer a clear and robust plan to phase out fossil fuels.
“The inclusion of a Just Transition mechanism is a genuine multilateral achievement with real potential to shift implementation on the ground, but without a transition plan to end oil, gas and coal we’re still fanning the flames. When it comes to finance, especially the weakened commitment to triple adaptation support, the texts lack the lifeline communities already facing climate impacts urgently need. We can’t achieve justice on the cheap.”
‘Gamble with the planet’
Nafkote Dabi, Oxfam International climate policy lead, said that world leaders continue to “gamble with the planet”, with rich nations treating adaptation finance as a “bargaining chip”, rather than a lifeline.
“It is unacceptable that the new text does not include developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels and lacks any teeth in responding to a dangerous ambition gap resulting from the weak climate plans that countries have submitted,” Dabi commented.
“A roadmap is essential, and it must be just, equitable, and backed by real support for the Global South. Developed countries who grew wealthy on their fossil fuel-based economies must phase out first and fastest, while financing low‑carbon pathways for the Global South.”
‘Betrayal of the most vulnerable’
Finally, Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary of ACT Alliance, said that anything short of decisive action at COP30 is a “betrayal of the most vulnerable”, at a time when lives are being upended by climate change.
“Climate action is not only a political obligation, it is a profound moral calling,” he said. “At a time when fear, polarisation, and regressive narratives cloud our collective vision, we must reclaim the moral imagination that our faith traditions offer: the courage to envision a world where justice prevails over short-term interests, and where compassion guides political will.”
COP30 negotiations are continuing in Belém – keep up to date with the latest developments at www.sustaianbilityonline.net. [Photo: Raimundo Pacco/COP30]
